Styles of Image Management During Crises: Justifying Press Censorship

Abstract

Press freedom is crucial in times of national crisis such as rampant terrorism or war. But press freedom is likely to become a casualty at such times because of legitimate concerns about security for civilians and military personnel and because of fears of compromising the confidentiality of important public policies. What kinds of appeals do partisans and opponents of both formal and informal censorship use to win approval of their points of view? Using the Bush administration's war on terrorism as an ongoing case study, I examined official pronouncements about censorship made by members of the legislative and executive branches in the United States and views quoted in selected mass media or expressed editorially. The study revealed three types of verbal strategies: excuses, justifications, and transformations. They were used by proponents as well as opponents of censorship. This article details the various types of framings used within the three strategic categories and the circumstances surrounding their use.